I. ˈpu̇sh verb
Etymology: Middle English possen, pusshen, probably from Old French pousser to exert pressure, from Latin pulsare, frequentative of pellere to drive, strike — more at felt
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to press against with force in order to drive or impel
b. : to move or endeavor to move away or ahead by steady pressure without striking
2.
a. : to thrust forward, downward, or outward
b. : to cause to increase : raise
push prices to record levels
c. : to try to move beyond or expand
push one's limits
d. : to hit (a ball) toward the right from a right-handed swing or toward the left from a left-handed swing — compare pull
3.
a. : to press or urge forward to completion
b. : to urge or press the advancement, adoption, or practice of
push ed a bill in the legislature
especially : to make aggressive efforts to sell
we're push ing ham this week
c. : to engage in the illicit sale of (narcotics)
4. : to bear hard upon so as to involve in difficulty
poverty push ed them to the breaking point
5. : to approach in age or number
grandmother must be push ing 75
intransitive verb
1. : to press against something with steady force in or as if in order to impel
2. : to press forward energetically against opposition
3. : to exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end
push ing for higher wages
•
- push one's luck
II. noun
Date: 1563
1. : a vigorous effort to attain an end : drive:
a. : a military assault or offensive
b. : an advance that overcomes obstacles
c. : a campaign to promote a product
2. : a time for action : emergency
3.
a. : an act of pushing : shove
b.
(1) : a physical force steadily applied in a direction away from the body exerting it
(2) : a nonphysical pressure : influence , urge
c. : vigorous enterprise or energy
4.
a. : an exertion of influence to promote another's interests
b. : stimulation to activity : impetus
•
- push comes to shove